Stephen Jones: Escobar may be ready week 1

[CCBoy]

If this group of 'injured' players are all able to respond as the heads that be are indicating, well, it could just put to bed the claims of sorry conditioning and a medical group lost in space.



ARLINGTON, Texas – Training camp is a mere 10 days away, and the Cowboys seem optimistic about who might be available when they report to Oxnard, Calif., for the start of practices.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones spoke to reporters about the approaching season on Monday afternoon. When the topic turned to the team’s injury concerns, Jones had positive news to share about the state of the roster.

“We fully expect everybody to get well,” he said. “We’re starting to feel pretty optimistic even about guys like Dunbar in terms of maybe being able to play sooner than later.”

Lance Dunbar headlines a list of several players still rehabbing from major injuries, after he tore both his ACL and MCL in last year’s Week 4 loss to New Orleans. Joined by the likes of Orlando Scandrick and Gavin Escobar, Dunbar underwent a strenuous rehab routine during OTAs – and Jones said he’s made remarkable progress...

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...rounding-shape-start-training-camp-approaches

 

[DandyDon52]

stephen saying this makes me wonder what he is thinking, he doesnt seem to be on the same page as us ??
To me this sounds like they want him back ........now ! as soon as possible, dont worry about the achilles, or dunbars knee, we
need them game 1 !
Last year they rushed romo and dez back, and both re-injured same thing again.
The Jones boys live in their own world, so they have a hard time relating to the normal world.

 

[CCBoy]

stephen saying this makes me wonder what he is thinking, he doesnt seem to be on the same page as us ??
To me this sounds like they want him back ........now ! as soon as possible, dont worry about the achilles, or dunbars knee, we
need them game 1 !
Last year they rushed romo and dez back, and both re-injured same thing again.
The Jones boys live in their own world, so they have a hard time relating to the normal world.

*The status of RB McFadden (elbow), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (foot) and defensive end Benson Mayowa (knee) will be watched closely during training camp.

"We could certainly see a few of those guys start off on [Physically unable to perform list]," Stephen Jones said. "We want to be careful with them. This is a long season, and we all remember last year when Darren McFadden missed a majority of the camp in Oxnard and then went on to have a tremendous year."

http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/c...akes-4-12-screams-pillow-looking-forward-2016

 

[Redball Express]

26 catches in 3 years. Such a weapon.

Part of that is Romo.

He prefers Witten and thats understandable.

I would too.

But the coaches are responsible for some of this.

They are supposed to utilize the talent and put them in a position to succeed and so far..

this coaching staff has failed with Bennett, Fasano and others.

So until they make developing another TE not named Witten a priority..

Place the blame where it should go.

 

[Alexander]

They added two DBs in the draft with 4th round grades. I think they've both got a shot.

They have to get that shot. Tough to do when you have Jeff Heath in the way.

 

[XDez88BeastX]

Good, trade him for a bag of chips. Smh

 

[Stash]

True, but Martellus is one of the best TEs in football and he got Escobar'd in Dallas.

Say whatever else you will, but Bennett's production far exceeded anything we've ever gotten from Escobar. Marty B did in one season what Escobar hasn't done in three seasons, to say nothing of the night-and-day difference in their blocking abilities.

http://www.nfl.com/player/martellusbennett/1062/careerstats

http://www.nfl.com/player/gavinescobar/2540211/profile

 

[Stash]

I really don't get why people have been so down on him.

Its not his fault they drafted him so high.

Yet he gets blamed for not being All Pro.

I mean our 2nd rd. picks have always been projects.

Look at Lawrence..

look at Gregory..

look at Smith this year.

We have been doing this regularly when we draft a solid 1st rd. guy..

we take a flyer on somebody who is potentially a sleeper and realize it will take a few seasons to get them going.

Its the same with Escobar.

I think he contributes well after mid-season.

He and Romo were starting to click when Romo went down.

We need him.

Seriously?

Take a look at his career and then maybe you'll direct your outrage at the player, where it belongs.

http://www.nfl.com/player/gavinescobar/2540211/profile

 

[rockj7]

They like him in the RZ esp near the GL. He and Witten are a handful down there. I'm disappointed he hasn't been more productive. He's just not going to get a lot of looks with Witten around and I expect Witten to play another 2-4 years.

Last year was difficult to judge him based on the fact we where not in the red zone much

 

[Alexander]

Say whatever else you will, but Bennett's production far exceeded anything we've ever gotten from Escobar. Marty B did in one season what Escobar hasn't done in three seasons, to say nothing of the night-and-day difference in their blocking abilities.

http://www.nfl.com/player/martellusbennett/1062/careerstats

http://www.nfl.com/player/gavinescobar/2540211/profile

We even got more out of Fasano before we gave him away.

 

[Stash]

Part of that is Romo.

He prefers Witten and thats understandable.

I would too.

But the coaches are responsible for some of this.

They are supposed to utilize the talent and put them in a position to succeed and so far..

this coaching staff has failed with Bennett, Fasano and others.

So until they make developing another TE not named Witten a priority..

Place the blame where it should go.

I don't think it's either/or with blame for the disappointing career thus far, but both.

The coaches have failed for years to properly utilize the two TE scheme that they've repeatedly invested big draft resources in, and this player has failed to develop into the guy they believed they were drafting. Despite his size and experience, he still plays timid, like a deer-in-the-headlights rookie after three years. That's on him.

 

[Stash]

Between Escobar and Dunbar, I'm not sure their returns are a blessing, or a curse.

Dunbar has been disappointing due to repeated injuries every time they use him, while Escobar has just had a disappointing career.

And now, with their returns, does that result in a young running back like Jackson - who may have upside - being released? Or letting a player like Gaithers go rather than allowing him to develop, only to then watch Escobar walk out the door in 2017?

It's great to hear that both are obviously working hard to come back, but I'm not sure how I feel about the return of either one in 2016.

 

[big dog cowboy]

this coaching staff has failed with Bennett, Fasano and others.

Marty (8 years) and Fasano (10 years) are both on their 4th team now. Perhaps it's time to take a another look at their situations and top pointing the finger at the Cowboys staff.

 

[Stash]

Marty (8 years) and Fasano (10 years) are both on their 4th team now. Perhaps it's time to take a another look at their situations and top pointing the finger at the Cowboys staff.

The parts where you wrote "8 years" and "10 years" show clearly that both guys could play. Playing for 4 teams isn't a slight in the era of free agency, but playing for 10 years is certainly a testament to ability.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Playing for 4 teams isn't a slight in the era of free agency

When you average 2 years per team, yea it is.

 

[Stash]

When you average 2 years per team, yea it is.

You can tell yourself that if you'd like, nobody else sees it that way, especially when a perennial Super Bowl contender is trading for you.

Bennett's a goofball, but he can play. I can guarantee that nobody's going to be trading for Escobar, whether he was healthy or not.

Fasano played for 10 years and Bennett is still going strong at 8 years, that speaks to the fact that the players weren't the reason things didn't work in Dallas, both can play, and history proves it.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I don't blame Escobar in the slightest.

The team, scouts, coaching staff, front office, and/or anyone else who signed off on overdrafting a slow, inneffective blocking, pass-catching TE should take the blame.

You knew right off the bat that the kid was going to provide next to nothing as an in-line blocker (until he could be developed further), but then you abandoned the "12" personnel package you've been trying to trot out since the days of Parcell. That rendered Escobar's opportunities to contribute as pretty close to nill.

Athletically, I don't think he's that much different than Witten. He's got great hands and if he can learn the nuances of route running he's got a chance, though it will be interesting to see how the injury has impacted him.

 

[phildadon86]

I was thinking the same thing...I really had high hopes for him, but at some point a player is who they are going to be.

He will be. After he leaves Dallas and becomes an actual target. I really dont understand why its so difficult for us to use a 2 tight end set. It boggles my mind.

 

[cowboyblue22]

marty B has a really good shot to go to the superbowl this year not sure how good Escobar's chances are.

 

[Cowboy06]

He will be. After he leaves Dallas and becomes an actual target. I really dont understand why its so difficult for us to use a 2 tight end set. It boggles my mind.

Sigh...don't you get it? We don't want to use a TE minus Witten...LOL All jokes aside, I agree...sadly I agree.